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Graduate returns
by Joe Mottillo
Collegian Staff
Not even a year out of
college, Paul Benim has done
more with the post-college
experience than others his age.
A spring '92 graduate of Behrend
and 'BB graduate of Iroquois
High School, Benim has found
himself involved in one of the
most successful women's
athletic programs in the country
here at Behrend.
He is completing his second
season as the women's assistant
basketball coach and is entering
his first season as head women's
softball coach.
"As an assistant, you give
input and suggestions.
Sometimes they're used,
sometimes they're not. As a
head coach, you make the
decisions," said Benim.
"Because the athletes I coach
and I are close in age , I can
relate to them. I also have to
remember that I'm their coach,"
commented Benim.
With the women's basketball
and softball seasons
overlapping, Benim was asked if
their is any conflict.
"I think I do a decent job of
separating the two. When I'm
at basketball practice, I focus on
that. When I'm at softball
practice, I focus on that.
Netters off
to Carolina
by Paul D. Young
Collegian Staff
A short year after the
completion of their most
successful season in ten years,
the men's tennis team looks to
start the '93 campaign on a
winning note with two matches
in Hilton Head, South Carolina.
Thanks to the keen scheduling
of third-year coach Dan
Gallegos, the team will have
two days to practice and scout
Sports
During the day, I bounce
between both."
"Brett Banker set things up
very well (with the softball
team). I need to keep things
going in the same direction," he
said.
"I'm very enthusiastic about it
(head softball coach). It is a
very big challenge. I'm reaching
a comfort zone with the
players."
"A goal for softball would be
for us to win 30 out of 40
games. I think that's what it
would take to go to the
NCAA's."
With his other job as
assistant basketball coach,
Benim said, "It's great to see a
collective unit win a game.
Working together to accomplish
something is very gratifying."
Although it hasn't been
announced, Benim was asked
about the ECAC Playoffs. The
bids go out around the first
week of March.
"Our style of play is the
same. We just have to stay
focused on ourselves and execute
regardless of our opponents."
In five years Benim still sees
himself coaching at the college
level. "Where and what is the
only question."
"The high point so far was
winning the ECAC
Championship in basketball.
the competition before taking
on Ursinus in their season
opener. This is extremely
crucial since they have practiced
exclusively indoors during
February.
Between matches, Coach
Gallegos will hold the
"Shootout Classic" - a mixed
doubles competition featuring
both the men's and women's
teams, who are also going on
the trip.
The Lions will wrap up their
Amel Bak*EvPhoognpher
Listen up: Paul Benlrn, first year softball coach, instructs his
players during a practice last week.
It's great to be part of such a
great tradition."
"ECAC's are outstanding for
this school. The history of
athletics here is being built
now."
"I love what I'm doing
because of the people I'm
associated with. I've been
blessed with very good people
to work under. The Banker's
ghoul.
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southern trip against Eastern
Mennonite.
Despite the loss of top
players Chuck Keenan, Joe
Dess, and Craig Edwards, the
men appear to have an
outstanding squad this year. It
features the return of junior ca
captains Eric Good and Johathan
Chase, in addition to sophomore
sensation Karl Van Tassel.
Without a senior to be found
on the roster, the men's team
will be counting on solid
performances from its talented
and highly touted recruiting
class.
Junior transfer Bittu Das and
freshman Eric Liken are joined
by two local products, Brian
Foht (Fairview) and Paul Young
(Cathedral Prep). All four first-
Thursday, March 4, 1993
and Phil Glass (basketball coach
at Iroquois where Benim was an
assistant last year) have all
helped me."
-Eds. note: This story
is being run again due to
a layout mistake which
occurred last week.
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year players look to make
immediate impacts on the
starting lineup.
Are the Lions ready for the 20
plus match season that awaits
them? Judging from the
reactions from both the coach
and the players they are more
than ready.
"There is something special
about this team," beams Coach
Gallegos. "They are definitely
"
Added Good, "We're going to
be in every match."
Take a break
-Collegian Sports